Prince Charles
and Camilla fitted in like locals at an Essex pub today as they played darts and enjoyed a pint.

However their mode of transport to The Bell in Purleigh was not one regulars to the country pub would usually use - as they arrived via helicopter.

The pub stop came as the royal couple have spent the day carrying out a number
of engagements in Essex.

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Bullseye: The Duchess of Cornwall played darts at The Bell pub in Essex today

Toting up her score: The royal collects her darts

Let them fly: The Duchess throws a dart and here's how they landed, right, with two failing to score

They met staff and customers at the establishment which dates back to the 14th century. They were shown a sample of local produce and Charles was even given the chance to go behind the bar and pour himself a drink from the beer pumps.

Time for a pint: Prince Charles waves as he arrives while his wife seems in more in a hurry to get inside

Historic: The country pub dates back to the 14th century

Charles
met the chorus as he toured the Royal Opera House's state-of-the-art
theatrical workshop in Essex with the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Prince is known to be passionate
about opera but he played down his musical abilities, saying he had a
'gravelly bass' singing voice.

The
Royal Opera House's workshop is part of the High House Production Park
in Purfleet, a £60 million centre of excellence for production,
technical skills and crafts used in the performing arts and live music
industries.

Behind the bar: The prince pulls a pint

Refreshing: The pair have a taste of the ale

To mark its
opening in December 2010, a community opera was staged featuring
residents, and its legacy is the Royal Opera Thurrock Community Chorus,
which is still going strong and working on staging Verdi's Requiem Mass.

Gabrielle
Foster-Still, who manages the group, said after speaking to Charles:
'He was saying he has a gravelly bass and was not sure if we would want
him - but we could use him.'

Having a laugh: Prince Charles shares a joke with guests and has a bout of the giggles during an official visit to Essex and High House Production Park today

Learning the tricks of the trade: High House Production Park is a world-class centre for technical skills, crafts and artistic production and training, which is home to the Royal Opera House's Bob and Tamar Manoukian Production workshop

A far cry from Kensington! Charles and Camilla spent the day carrying out a number of engagements in Essex

Sneak peek: The royal couple viewed huge sets and backdrops being created for the world premiere of Christopher Wheeldon's new production for the Royal Ballet, The Winter's Tale

Behind-the-scenes: In the paint workshop, the royal couple viewed huge sets and backdrops being created for Christopher Wheeldon's The Winter's Tale, which opens in April

A brolly good time: Prince Charles is patron of the not-for-profit organisation the Pub is the Hub, which he paid a visit to today

The royal couple were given a behind-the-scenes glimpse at sets for new productions at the Royal Opera House when at the organisation's workshops during their trip.

They arrived in the pouring rain so were both wrapped up against the elements. Prince Charles wore a black overcoat over his smart navy pinstripe suit while Camilla wore a brown check coat with brown boots, a beige scarf and leather gloves.

In
the paint workshop, the royal couple viewed huge sets and backdrops
being created for the world premiere of Christopher Wheeldon's new
production for the Royal Ballet, The Winter's Tale, which opens in
April.

The royal tour of Essex will end with a trip to the Palace Theatre in Westcliff-on-Sea, where Charles and Camilla will celebrate the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth.

The royal couple will watch a performance of different scenes of Shakespeare's plays by local school children taking part in the Shakespeare Schools Festival.

When it rains in Essex, it pours: Camilla looks unimpressed by the rainy weather as she shelters beneath her umbrella

Off to meet Joey Essex? Prince Charles and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall landed in Essex to pay a visit to the Royal Opera House's production workshop in Thurrock

Spot the royals! The couple looked at set-designs during an official visit to Essex and High House Production Park today